There is something beautiful and mysterious that always draws us toward abandoned places. When you look at them, it feels as though you’re witnessing a very old scene from another time, as if the hands of the clock have stopped in these deserted locations and life has left them completely.
These abandoned places reveal what happens naturally without human intervention—and perhaps what could happen in the future even to the places we love today.
Although there may be a painful story behind each abandoned place, there’s still a mysterious beauty that captivates us.
That’s why we’re going to talk about the most beautiful abandoned places in the world, whose names alone will amaze you.
The Most Beautiful Abandoned Places in the World
There are many abandoned places around the world, but their names and beauty will surprise you. Some of the most notable include Canfranc Station in Spain, Kupari Hotel in Croatia, the military hospital in Germany, and many others.
1. Canfranc Station – Spain
The Canfranc International Railway Station in Huesca, Spain, still leaves a majestic impression.
It was once one of the most important railway stations in Europe and was the second largest at the time of its construction in 1928.
It was closed after a train derailed on the French side of the bridge.
2. Kupari Hotel – Croatia
This abandoned hotel on the Croatian coast was once a luxurious resort for the Yugoslav military elite.
However, it was destroyed during the Croatian War of Independence, along with a chain of other hotels.
3. Geamana Village – Romania
In the 1970s, copper mining began in the rural Romanian village of Geamana.
When massive amounts of toxic waste were produced, the dictator at the time, Nicolae Ceaușescu, ordered a full evacuation of about 400 families so that the valley could be used as a toxic waste site.
Although the town was flooded with an artificial lake and tons of toxic sludge, you can still see the flexible church tower rising through it.
4. Beelitz Military Hospital – Germany
This complex dates back to the 19th century and served as a military hospital during wartime.
The surrounding area was abandoned in the mid-1990s when Soviet troops withdrew from Germany.
5. Grossinger’s Resort – New York, USA
Despite its current appearance, Grossinger’s Resort in Liberty, New York, was once a luxurious weekend getaway in the state.
Due to the city’s economic decline, the resort closed its doors in 1986.
6. Kennecott Town – Alaska, USA
Kennecott was once a thriving town, inhabited mostly by copper miners and their families.
When resources were depleted by the late 1930s, all the residents fled except for one family of three.
By the 1950s, that family had also left, leaving the town surrounded only by mist and falling leaves in Alaska’s wilderness.
7. Craco Town – Italy
Although it has existed since 540, most residents of Craco were evacuated during the 20th century due to poor farming conditions, a landslide in 1963, and floods in 1972.
It has now become a stunning historical site.
8. Santiago Temple – Mexico
Drought in southern Mexico caused water levels around this 450-year-old church to drop by about 80 feet.
It is considered one of the most beautiful abandoned places in the world.
9. Gouqi Island – China
This fishing village on the Yangtze River is covered in lush ivy and peaceful greenery, giving it a breathtaking appearance.
10. St. Nicholas Church – Macedonia
This submerged church is located in Lake Mavrovo, Macedonia.
Its destruction was deliberate; the lake was created to support a power station.
The church sank, leaving only a small part of the structure surrounded by beautiful scenery.
11. Miranda Castle – Belgium
This fairy tale–like structure in Belgium was built in 1866 as a summer home, but the architect died before its completion in 1907.
The Nazis seized it during World War II, and it later served as a summer camp for 20 years.
Finally, in 1991, it was abandoned because maintaining it had become too expensive.
12. Ross Island – India
Located in South Andaman, India, this island was once a British administrative center for carrying out penal activities.
After being abandoned, it became covered with wild banyan trees, giving it a jungle-like appearance.
13. Six Flags Amusement Park – New Orleans, USA
Hurricane Katrina destroyed this amusement park in 2005.
Murky waters rose to six feet, and the saltwater caused 80% damage, making restoration too costly.
What remains is a strange yet beautiful memorial to the vibrant city devastated by tragedy.
14. Hirta Island – Scotland
Once home to many people, this island was evacuated in the 1930s due to famine risks and harsh weather.
Today, only abandoned stone structures remain scattered across the fields.
15. Dome Homes – Florida, USA
Near Marco Island in Cape Romano, Florida, stands a structure resembling an abandoned spaceship.
In reality, it was a vacation home destroyed over time by hurricanes.
16. Berlin Historic District – Nevada, USA
Founded in 1867 during the mining boom, Berlin never achieved the success of nearby towns and was largely abandoned by 1911.
It is now part of a Nevada state park.
17. Kolmanskop Town – Namibia
This town was founded in 1908 in the Namib Desert when a man discovered a diamond there.
It was abandoned in 1954 after resources ran out.
The deserted houses are now filled with sand in a strange yet striking scene.
18. Kilchurn Castle – Scotland
Built in the mid-14th century, this Scottish castle once housed some of the most powerful people in the country.
However, it was abandoned in the 18th century and is now one of the most photographed castles thanks to its picturesque location.
19. Kayaköy Town – Turkey
Located in the Taurus Mountains, this town was abandoned in the 1920s due to a political population exchange with Greece.
Today, around 350 abandoned houses remain in the town.
20. The Floating Forest – Australia
The SS Ayrfield ship was built in 1911 in Homebush Bay, west of Sydney.
The bay is essentially a graveyard for many sunken ships. When this ship sank, part of it remained floating.
What sets it apart is that majestic mangrove trees and lush greenery have grown on it, earning it the nickname “The Floating Forest.”
21. The Abandoned Palace on Lake Como – Italy
Although the exact story of this abandoned palace in the Lake Como mountains is uncertain, locals believe it was built in the 19th century.
Rumors suggest it was abandoned after a murder or suicide.
22. Allerheiligen Abbey – Germany
Located in Germany’s Black Forest, this church was first built in 1192.
It was struck by lightning and burned three times, which is why it was ultimately left in ruins.
23. Ta Prohm Temple – Cambodia
This famous temple in Angkor Wat was abandoned after the empire fell in the 17th century.
After centuries of neglect, it became overgrown like a forest.
Today, conservation efforts help stabilize and preserve the temple.
24. Maunsell Sea Forts – England
These forts were built to protect Kent’s shores in England from German attacks during World War II.
They were decommissioned in 1950 and briefly used as pirate radio stations before being completely abandoned.
25. Dundas Castle – New York, USA
Also known as Roscoe Castle, it was designed by architect Bradford Gilbert for his Scottish wife, Anna Dundas.
Gilbert died, and his wife—who was ill and living in a sanatorium—never got to live in it.
Some say Dundas’s ghost still roams the halls!
26. Bodiam Castle – England
This fortified castle in East Sussex was built in the 14th century by a knight seeking to defend the area against the French during the Hundred Years’ War.
After surviving many wars, it was eventually abandoned and is now a tourist attraction open to the public.
27. Methodist Church – Indiana, USA
Constructed for $1 million in 1926, this church’s activity dwindled due to unemployment and rising crime.
It was abandoned in 1980.
28. Hotel de Salto – Colombia
Opened in 1928, this Colombian hotel served tourists visiting the nearby waterfall.
It closed in the early 1990s and is now completely abandoned.
Many believe it is haunted!
29. Michigan Central Station – USA
Do you recognize this magnificent building?
You might have seen it in Eminem’s film “8 Mile.”
This building is Detroit’s train station, built in 1913 and eventually closed in 1988.
30. City Hall Subway Station – New York, USA
It’s rare to find a New York City subway empty, but this abandoned City Hall Station is closed to the public.
Its sharp curve made it unsafe for newer, longer trains, so it was shut down in 1954.
31. Holland Island – Maryland, USA
This house was all that remained of a small colony in Chesapeake Bay.
Due to shoreline erosion, residents fled the island, and the house eventually collapsed in 2010.
32. Bodie Town – California, USA
Often called the most famous ghost town in the West, visitors can stroll its deserted streets, peek through the windows of the church, school, and barbershop, and see many old artifacts still standing today.
33. Aniva Rock Lighthouse – Japan/Russia
This lighthouse was built by the Japanese in 1939 in what is now Russian territory.
After a long struggle, it was taken over by the Russians during World War II.
34. Bannerman Castle – New York, USA
This castle was meant to store U.S. military supplies after the Spanish-American War.
In 1920, 200 pounds of ammunition exploded, destroying it.
35. The Great Wall of China – China
Due to its massive size and high maintenance costs, parts of the Great Wall fell into disrepair, becoming overgrown with thick shrubs, grass, and weeds.
We’ve now reached the end of this article, in which we explored some of the most famous and beautiful abandoned places in the world—places you might want to consider visiting on your next travel adventure.
